Hi everyone documents are now ready for my FLR as my fiancee visa will end next month,except that I am so bothered with this English test certificate ..could this still be valid for my FLR? I was able to beat the deadline for English test changes last year for my fiance visa before the implementation of the new one that makes its validity shorter.IELTS was taken July of 2014 and it's supposed to expire July 2016. My question is ...is it safe to submit same English test certicate for my FLR? Has anyone got the same concern as mine?PLEASE help ..thank you Nickel
You need the A1, taken at an approved centre from the government list. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...e_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres.pdf
According to Guidance notes for FLR(FM), previously home office accepted test results for a previous visa application can be used. The test expiry is applicable to must be used by, once successfully used then still valid, unless the examiner has been subsequently been banned. So earlier IELTS are still valid, as long as already used and accepted for earlier visa application (as long as partner application).
Would you really want to take that risk, with the way that they have changed the system? Personally I don't think it's worth it. I would say just go and take the required test, give biometrics, get a reference number and you have no worries.
We used the old one. Since Corina's FLR is being processed now, we will soon find out if we were wrong to do so!
Thank you one world THIS gives me so much relief @one world as my mind was reasoning out this way..I've used it for my first visa and why should it not be valid when it was taken before changes came., but I just want to confirm and see from other members experience here . I HOPE @Methersgate and his wife experience is successful...it was not long after you were granted fiancee visa that I was also....just following your track .When did you sent it off? By post? @Maharg your point is good and nothing is wrong with it but if my Old IELTS certificate is still acceptable and no need to get another test that would be wonderful. (Altho'if really needed I am just a few miles away from Glasgow.
The new test regulations came into effect in April 2015. She would have taken a test under the new regulations, so it would still be valid. This is taken from the Government site: Applicants who take the language test on or before 5 April 2015 with the current providers will be able to use their certificates until 5 November 2015. Customers who require a SELT should only book a test with a new provider from 6 April. Tests taken with old providers from 6 April will not be acceptable with your visa application. If your English test was taken before April 2015 then I would seriously consider taking another one unless the one you took is still specifically shown on the new list. Personally I think it's worth taking the new one, even if just for peace of mind.
I believe we both (Corina) took the same IELTS general training prior April 2015. (Specifically mine was July 2014) and this certificate was the one I submitted last Oct.2015 for my fiancee visa application. And I had a successful fiancee visa application.Came here December and I'm on to my FLR.
Thank you @Maharg .I'll try see more responses based from their previous experiences.I know a lot of them were just a month or 2 ahead of my previous visa application. You've done well for sharing your views. Thanks again.
The actual application form also lists which examination boards that would be acceptable that have been used for previous partner visa applications. (extract attached) My wife is yet to apply for FLR(FM), but having attained IELTS level B1 General in the philippines, there is no intention to retake an english exam even for citizernship after 5yrs, as long as the requirements do not change by then. Note: the minimum level for 1st application is due to be increased from A1 to A2 sometime after oct 2016. The notice (attached) also infers that any old A1 level certificates will no longer be valid for future visa applications. So i would strongly recommend applicants to obtain B1 level to reduce the need of sitting further tests later on.
B1 was the IELTS General training which covers 4 parts Speaking,Listening,Reading,and Writing.? I believe this was what your wife took. So do you mean that if onebus a lesser of this test ..she or he is no longer required to take the A2 in the future for further application? Did I get you right ? And the A1 covers listening and speaking only?
when my wife tooks IELTS test through the British Council, the exam did consist of the 4 parts, Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing, the scores resulted in equivalent to B1. The test result rated each part individually and then gave an overall rating. Only the grades for Speaking and Listening are actually necessary, but at the time the whole exam had to be taken in order to receive a test result certificate. A1 level for Speaking and Listening is presently the minimum requirement for entry, BUT according to the Home Office news story on 21st Jan 2016, previuosly attained Level A1 grades (Speaking & Listening) will not be accepted for future visa extensions (FLR) and anyone only achieving A1 level will need to take another test to improve the grade to A2. I've no idea what the outcome would be if an applicant doesn't manage to attain A2 or better level? If an applicant achieves A2 level for initial visa application, then the level would also meet further FLR visa applications,but not the present minimum B1 required when applying for British Citizernship.
Looks like if I chose to go a step ahead I should better take the A2 rather than A1 in case my B1 cerificate is no longer acceptable..I would know after I inquire ..I hope i get a clear response from UKVI Glasgow then. BUT still looks complicated as requirement is only A1 for 1st FLR . Thanks for sharing your views @one world .cheers
But I remember they had a deadline on it , was it not last Nov.2015 for those who sat the exam before April 2015?
I found this on another forum :- Varaporn, you are applying for FLR(M) in May, so you're fine. Just to reassure everyone applying for FLR(M) before October 2016, here is the definitive currentHome Office guidance. Appendix FM-SE applies: "32D. If an applicant applying for limited leave to enter or remain under Part 8 or Appendix FM submits an English language test certificate or result and the Home Office has already accepted it as part of a successful previous partner or parent application (but not where the application was refused, even if on grounds other than the English language requirement), the decision-maker may accept that certificate or result as valid if it is: (a) from a provider which is no longer approved, or (b) from a provider who remains approved but the test the applicant has taken with that provider is no longer approved, or (c) from a test centre which is no longer approved, or (d) past its validity date (if a validity date is required under Appendix O), provided that when the subsequent application is made: (i) the applicant has had continuous leave (disregarding any period of overstaying of no more than 28 days) as a partner or parent since the Home Office accepted the test certificate as valid; and (ii) the award to the applicant does not fall within the circumstances set out in paragraph 32B of this Appendix." This means that if your previous CEFR level A1 pass was accepted by the Home Office for your initial successful entry clearance application then that pass is still valid for your FLR(M) application. It doesn't matter that it was a Cambridge BULATS or KET exam. The Home Office has proposed that the English language requirement should be raised from CEFR level A1 to CEFR level A2 for FLR(M) with effect from October 2016 but has yet to publish further details. My guess is that Trinity and Cambridge are busy putting together submissions for a CEFR level A2 secure English language test (SELT) which fits what the Home Office wants. I phoned UKVI and they confirmed above is correct.
Thank you for this info , very helpful indeed. Btw, just to confirm everything's ok with my English test . July 10,2014 - took IELTS General training July 22 B1 Cert. was granted ( good for 2 years) December 10,2015 -settlement visa granted MAY to ========= before JUNE 10,2016 FLR must be lodged So, I am safe then to submit same IELTS ENGLISH test clearance cert. with a score of ( Speaking 8 and Listening 6 ) provided by BRITISH COUNCIL. PEACE of MIND then.☺
Hi @Nickel , I did B1 IELTS test and its only speaking and listening. Your fiancee must take B1 so she don't need to retake. Take care.
